When Are Taxes Due Each Year?

Though dates can differ due to holidays and other things, federal tax deadlines are typically predictable. Continue reading to learn what the deadlines are for personal and business taxes and why those dates might change.

Personal Taxes
Most years, the deadline to file personal taxes in the United States is April 15. However, this deadline may change due to holidays. For instance, in 2016, Emancipation Day fell on April 16, a Saturday. Washington D.C. celebrates Emancipation Day, but in order to be properly observed, it cannot fall on a weekend day. Thus, the federal celebration of Emancipation Day was moved to Friday, April 15. Tax Day—the day that taxes are due—cannot fall on a weekend day either, so this year it was moved to April 18, the Monday following the day it would have been celebrated if not for Emancipation Day. In 2017, Tax Day will fall on Tuesday, April 18th. In 2018, it will fall on Tuesday, April 17th.

In short, personal taxes are usually due on April 15 unless Emancipation Day causes the deadline to be moved. IRS.gov is a great place to check whether the personal tax deadline is any day other than April 15th.

Business Taxes
Businesses have a few other deadlines to worry about. Note that the following deadlines are only valid for 2016 because holidays or special occurrences like Leap Year may cause these dates to change. Typically, W-2s to employees are due at the beginning of February. This year, it was February 2. At the end of February (in 2016, this was February 29), businesses must send their employees' W-2s and their business W-3s to the Social Security Administration. If businesses volunteered to file employees' W-2s and 1099s electronically, they're due the last day of March.

S-corporations and C-corporations that use the calendar year as their fiscal calendar must pay taxes a whole month earlier than most people. This year, that day fell on March 15. The general rule is that whatever fiscal year your corporation is using, taxes are due on the 15th day of the third month of the fiscal year.

Note that businesses paying quarterly taxes will typically pay on January 15, April 15, June 15, and September 15 (generally, the recognized end of each quarter).

What Could Cause Tax Dates to Change?
Holidays are the most typical cause for tax deadlines to change, but weekends and filing extensions could also affect the due date for personal and business taxes. Note that amended returns do not have a deadline, but you should file within three years of the original return in order to claim a refund. Also note that if the IRS grants you an extension to file, this extension payment will generally be due in mid-October. Filing for an extension must be done by the same due date as regular personal taxes—on tax day.

For more on when the IRS begins accepting and processing tax returns click here.

Q&A: What are the filing deadlines for 2017 tax returns?

Deadlines for 2017 tax filings are as follows:

Small Business Returns/Partnerships (1120S/1065) - The filing deadline for these tax returns is March 15, 2018.

Personal Income Tax Payments - Taxes need to be paid in full by April 18th, 2018.

Personal Tax Extension (4868) - The last day for requesting a filing extension request is also April 18, 2018. Please note, this is an extension to prepare and file your tax return and not pay any outstanding taxes. Once accepted, your new return deadline is October 15, 2018.